Bohemian Waxwing #2

1DMKIV
F 600mm II and 1.4X
ISO 800
f 6.3
SS 1/800
Almost full frame and cloned branch in RUC
Comments and critiques always learned from and appreciated with thanks,
Gail

Beautiful image. I like the BG & the diagonal branch with the partially eaten berries with the bird looking at them that tell a story. Great techs. Have you considered cleaning up the beak? I might also prefer more room on the left. But, all personal preference.

Love the pose on this one Gail. Just beautiful.

Great pose, looks like he is contemplating which one to finish off. Great detail in the feather and a full set of waxy tips. Wont be long before they leave our shores, hope they return to the UK next year.

Very beautiful image of the bird colour and exposure is spot on well done Gail! That little bird is so adorable...

I have been hunting them locally but with no luck yet though many reported there are still 10-20 flocks around so fingers crossed I will get some coming weekend.

How painterly is that! The BG is soooo complementary to the waxwing. Exposure and details are all there. Great job. If you have wall space, print it.

Oh ya, that reminded me, if you or any of the members want a great deal on beautiful canvas stretched prints, I found a company that has a deal,not sure for how long. Four- 24x20 canvas prints for $89 dollars US. They come done with a 1-1/2" bleed boarder and are ready to hang.
PM me if you are interested in the deal and I will send you the cupon code. At that price they are great to give as gifts.
Just so you know I dont work for them, just passing on what I thought was a good deal.

Gorgeous shot, Gail. I love the glow from the eaten berries, as with your earlier post. Great bg, pose, silky texture. My only hesitation is that the bird seems a little centered, but taking out the berry on the right and giving more space to the left would probably look unbalanced.

Excellent shot.
Superb pose, excellent details, really like the perch, and very nice background.
WEll done.

Thank you all for your helpful comments.
I cleaned up the bill and added 5% canvas on the LHS using content aware fill. I think this looks good.

A perfect crop, a complimentary BG, and no two crabapples are the same. Fine job.

What light! Obviously the B.W. is a stunner, but it's the fruit and complimentary background that elevate this photograph...

Hi Gail. Lovely even light! The pose, sharpness, fruits, comp, and background all come together to make an excellent image! You might consider selecting the pupil and darkening it - the eye has sort of a glazed over look because of the lighter area on the pupil. This would be a simple tweak that would put this image over the top!

RP is better and I love the IQ on this one, and the colors go so well together. The bird's pose is also a peaceful one...maybe contemplative.

Let's hope 3 times a charm.
I darkened the pupil as per Steve's suggestion.
Thanks for the comments and help.
Gail

Gail, A wonderful image, worth all these tweaks! Here's my 2 cents. No way would I clean up the bill....the berry has been picked at - tidbits left on his bill are to be expected and I did not find them offensive or distracting. I think you've gone overboard with the eye, it doesn't look appropriate or natural for the light that you were working with. i would remove the berry stem that is sticking him in the butt. :) This being said, how I wish this one was in my files!

#14 is better in my opinion. Very nice image. TFS.

I agree with Troy. I think #14 is the best.

Excellent details, love the perch, great pose, very nice background, and nice light..

Great image in my book.

Every thing has been said about this absolutely superb image with wonderful color scheme.
Love the composition in re post,pose,colors and lovely details.

Regards,
Satish.

I also prefer #14. Such a nice image

Gail, this does not look like a photograph. TO me its like a Oil Paint that you have labored over for days together.
The BG, the crispness of the image and specially the eaten berry.......The image is mesmerizing....image #14 works for me..

Beautiful capture! I like the pose! Head angle is just perfect to show the Waxwing having some interest in the berries.

Excellent image Gail! I like the pose, sharpness, berries, complimentary BG and composition. I agree with the Grace's critique.

Killer background, the subject melts into it. I really like it.

Great Job Gail, the "Classic" Waxwing capture , it works for me all elements have come together nicely!! Oh BTW nice avatar photo!!

Hi Gail, love the soft light, and how the waxwing is peering at the picked berry. What a fantastic BG, it compliments the waxwing so well. Im fine with the 'dirty' bill in your OP.